Political sociologist; activist; author. The papers focus primarily on West's activism, research, professional activities, speeches, and writings related to welfare rights and economic justice. Her extensive working files document individuals and organizations working for civil rights, welfare rights, and related social movements from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Organizations represented include the Montclair Welfare Rights and Friends of Welfare Rights, National Welfare Rights Organization (NWRO) , New Jersey Friends of Welfare Rights, the United Church of Christ's Welfare Priority Team, the United Presbyterian Church, Synod of New Jersey, Committee on Church and Society and Commission on Religion and Race (SynCORR), the Women's Committee of One Hundred, and the Welfare Made a Difference National Campaign (WMAD). Extensive files on leaders in the welfare rights movement include tape recorded and transcribed interviews done in the mid-1970s and mid-1980s.

Terms of Access and Use:

Restrictions on access:

The Papers are open to research according to the regulations of the Sophia Smith Collection without any additional restrictions. Original audiovisual materials are closed--copies must be made for research use. Digital copies are available for most of the audiocassettes (see Appendix).

Restrictions on use:

The Sophia Smith Collection (SSC) owns copyright to Guida West's unpublished works. Permission must be obtained from the SSC to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use." Copyright to materials authored by others may be owned by those individuals or their heirs or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Permission to publish reproductions or quotations beyond "fair use" must also be obtained from the Sophia Smith Collection as owners of the physical property.